Analysis

On February 18, 2021, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Tae Johnson issued a memo establishing guidance regarding the interim enforcement and removal guidelines issued by Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary David Pekoske on January 20. This updated guidance significantly broadens the scope of the earlier enforcement priorities issued by DHS, putting many more people at risk of detention and deportation. Detention Watch Network welcomes the Biden administration’s efforts to end the Trump administration’s cruel, xenophobic and racist immigration policies, but we are deeply concerned by ICE’s broadening of the January 20 priorities and the continued reliance on categories that criminalize, and target people based on contact with the unjust criminal punishment system and flawed public safety and national security frameworks.